Nederlandse Stichting Helpen met Paarden – Equitherapie
 

Certification as Equitherapist SHP

QUALITY ASSURANCE • SHP-E(NL)

Registration and Certification as SHP-E(NL) Equitherapist

Transparency, quality control, and ethical standards in equitherapy

Logo Equitherapist

SHP believes that graduation should not bring an end to the professional development of anyone wishing to continue working responsibly as a therapist and that they should keep abreast of developments in equitherapy. It has therefore decided not to award the title SHP-E(NL) Equitherapist purely on the basis of obtaining the diploma. Only those who are willing to continue their training and to accept the SHP's quality checks and code of practice and implement them in their work are entitled to describe themselves as registered and certified SHP-E(NL) equitherapists. This title is therefore protected by law in Benelux countries and bound by certification rules.

SHP-E(NL) manages a certification system which ensures that, for the clients, referrers, and organisations involved, the qualification of the therapist and the quality checks performed by SHP-E(NL) remain transparent.

Therapists must renew their certification, registration, and stable plaque every two years. At this time, SHP-E(NL) will verify their continuing professional development and other quality criteria.

 

Forms of Registration

The certification and quality policy of SHP-E(NL) recognises two forms of registration as an SHP-E(NL) equitherapist:

  1. Certification
  2. Registration

Both groups are entitled to use the recognised title SHP-E(NL) Equitherapist. Both groups operate in accordance with SHP-E(NL) guidelines and abide by the SHP-E(NL) code of practice and guidelines relating to horse, client, and type of therapy.

Registration

Includes a minimum of 20 hours of further training and practice in equitherapy, which enables the equitherapist to remain registered even if they do not work full-time or need to take a break.

The Certified Equitherapist

Must attend 42 hours of further therapeutic and riding training every 2 years, treat a minimum number of clients per year, and provide evidence of supervision, intervision, and professional indemnity insurance.